By Lovetti Lafua, Midwife, Biologist, and Human Optimization Researcher

Mastitis is one of the most feared words in breastfeeding—often spoken in hushed tones, accompanied by pain, fever, and an urgent prescription for antibiotics. But fear is rarely a good teacher, and mastitis deserves a more accurate, empowering conversation.

Clinically, mastitis is most often inflammation of breast tissue, not an aggressive infection. While bacterial mastitis does exist and antibiotics are sometimes necessary, the majority of cases I see—both personally and professionally—are inflammatory, mechanical, and stress-related in origin.

I recently supported a breastfeeding mother who was deeply concerned about antibiotics passing into her breast milk. Her instinct was correct: before reaching for medication, we explored how the body actually responds to milk stasis, tissue pressure, and exhaustion.

The Physiology Behind Mastitis

Milk that is not adequately removed causes localized pressure, inflammation, and swelling. This swelling compresses nearby ducts, further reducing milk flow—creating a feedback loop of pain and stagnation. Fever can occur not because of infection, but because inflammation itself activates immune signaling.

Antibiotics often relieve symptoms because they reduce inflammation—not necessarily because they eradicate bacteria. This distinction matters.

Foundational Support Measures

Effective, evidence-aligned care begins with basics:
• Frequent milk removal through feeding or pumping
• Warm compresses and gentle massage to improve lymphatic and milk flow
• Cabbage leaves, applied around the breast (avoiding the nipple), to reduce swelling through osmotic and anti-inflammatory effects

These are not “folk remedies.” They are physiologically sound interventions.

Herbal Anti-Inflammatory Support

From both research and clinical experience, the following herbal combination has shown strong anti-inflammatory and lymphatic effects:
• Phytolacca (Poke Root)
• Bryonia
• Gelsemium
• Borage

Taken as equal parts, 5 drops orally, three times daily for two weeks, this formula supports tissue drainage, reduces inflammation, and restores flow.

Adjunct support can include:
• Alternating cold (15 minutes) and warm moist heat (15 minutes) during the first 12–14 hours
• Ibuprofen (400–800 mg every 4–6 hours) for inflammation control
• Vitamin C (2,000 mg every 4 hours) to support immune modulation

Mastitis is not a failure of breastfeeding. It is a signal—one that can be listened to, not silenced.